EP0661346B1 - Heat-resistant molded article of lactic acid-base polymer - Google Patents
Heat-resistant molded article of lactic acid-base polymer Download PDFInfo
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- EP0661346B1 EP0661346B1 EP19940119891 EP94119891A EP0661346B1 EP 0661346 B1 EP0661346 B1 EP 0661346B1 EP 19940119891 EP19940119891 EP 19940119891 EP 94119891 A EP94119891 A EP 94119891A EP 0661346 B1 EP0661346 B1 EP 0661346B1
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- lactic acid
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- base polymer
- acid
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L67/00—Compositions of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
- C08L67/04—Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a heat-resistant molded article of lactic acid-base polymer which has excellent heat resistance and impact strength and can be degraded after use in the natural environment.
- PET Polypropylene and crystalline Polyethylene terephthalate
- PET has a slow rate of crystallization and requires a long time for completing a molding cycle. Accordingly, the mold temperature is increased or a crystallization nucleating agent is added for overcoming the problem.
- molded products prepared from these resins increase the amount of scrap on waste disposal, although excellent in heat resistance. Additionally, these resins scarcely degrade in the natural environment and semi-permanently remain under the ground even in the case of burial disposal. Further, abandoned plastics have led to problems of impairing a grand view and destructing the living environment of marine organisms.
- polylactic acid and a copolymer of lactic acid with other hydroxycarboxylic acid have been developed as polymers which are thermoplastic and biodegradable. These polymers can be completely biodegraded in an animal body within a few months to an year. In the case of being left in soil or sea water, polymers initiate degradation within a few weeks and disappear in one to several years. Further, these polymers have the characteristic that decomposition products are lactic acid, carbon dioxide and water which are non-toxic for the human body.
- Lactic acid which is a raw material of lactic acid-base polymer has been prepared by a fermentation process or chemical synthesis.
- L-lactic acid in particular, is manufactured in a large scale with drop in price and also has a feature of providing high stiffness for the resulting polymer. Consequently, it is now expected to utilize various polymers having a high content of L-lactic acid.
- Containers prepared by injection molding of lactic acid-base polymers have excellent stiffness. However, heat resistance of these polymers is low, or both heat resistance and impact resistance are low.
- patents for adding nucleating agents to biodegradable polymers include, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent HEI 5-70696, Tokkyo Kohkai Kohyo HEI 4-504731, USP 5,180,765, Tokkyo Kohkai Kohyo HEI 6-504799, and Japanese Laid-Open Patent HEI 4-220456.
- Japanese Laid-Open Publication HEI 5-70696 has disclosed that 10 - 40 % by weight of calcium carbonate or hydrated magnesium silicate (talc) having an average particle size of 20 ⁇ m or less is added to biodegradable plastics such as a 3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate copolymer, polycaprolactone and polylactic acid in order to prepare a raw material of plastic containers.
- the object of this technique is to accelerate decomposition of the degradable plastics after waste-disposal by addition of a large amount of inorganic fillers, and not to intend to improve heat resistance of polymer by increasing crystallinity.
- Tokkyo Kohkai Kohyo HEI 4-504731 (WO 90/01521) has described that properties such as hardness, strength and temperature resistance can be varied by addition of inorganic fillers such as silica and kaolinite to thermoplastics from lactide, and that, in the example, a L, DL-lactide copolymer was blended with 5 % by weight of calcium lactate as a nucleating agent by kneading on hot rolls at 170 °C and the resulting sheet increased stiffness and strength and was hazy as a result of crystallinity increase.
- inorganic fillers such as silica and kaolinite
- thermoplastics from lactide thermoplastics from lactide
- a L, DL-lactide copolymer was blended with 5 % by weight of calcium lactate as a nucleating agent by kneading on hot rolls at 170 °C and the resulting sheet increased stiffness and strength and was hazy as
- Tokkyo Kohkai Kohyo HEI 4-504799 (WO 92/04413) has described lactic acid salts and benzoic acid salts for use in a nucleating agent disclosed in the example that a copolymer of lactide was blended with 1 % of calcium lactate and injection molded into a mold maintained at 85 °C with a residence time of 2 minutes, resulted in insufficient crystallization, and thus further annealed in the mold at 110 - 135 °C.
- a lactic acid-base polymer has been blended with a nucleating agent such as commonly used talc, silica, calcium lactate and sodium benzoate and injection molded.
- a nucleating agent such as commonly used talc, silica, calcium lactate and sodium benzoate
- practically useful articles could not be molded because of a slow rate of crystallization and brittleness of the molded articles.
- Japanese Laid-Open Patent HEI 4-220456 has disclosed that addition of polyglycolic acid or derivatives thereof as a nucleating agent to poly-L-lactide can increase crystallization temperature, reduce the injection cycle time, and provide excellent mechanical properties for the molded articles. It has been exemplified that in the case of injection molding, the crystallinity obtained after cooling for 60 seconds is 22.6 % in the absence of a nucleating agent and 45.5 % in the presence of a nucleating agent.
- EP-A-0 507 554 discloses degradable moulded articles comprising a lactic acid base polymer, opt. copolymer such as ⁇ -caprolactone, optionally a nucleating agent such as silica, clay, or kaolin, and optionally 5-50%, pref. 5-20% plasticiser such as polyester.
- the moulded articles exhibit good mechanical and heat isolating properties.
- EP-A-0 507 554 gives no hint which would lead the skilled person to operate a specific selection of base polymer, copolymer, nucleating agent, and dispersant in order to improve the properties of the moulded articles.
- the object of the invention is to provide a molded article of a lactic acid-base polymer having an excellent heat resistance and impact strength.
- An aspect of the present invention is a process for preparing a heat-resistant molded article of a lactic acid-base polymer comprising mixing 75 -95 % by weight of a lactic acid-base polymer with 5 - 25 % by weight of poly- ⁇ -caprolactone so as to obtain an L-lactic acid ratio of 75 % by weight or more, adding 0.1 - 15 parts by weight of a crystalline inorganic powder comprising 50 % by weight or more of SiO 2 to 100 parts by weight of said polymer mixture, melt-kneading the resultant composition, filling the same into a mold of a molding machine at a mold temperature of 85-125 °C, and forming a shape while promoting crystallization.
- Another aspect of the present invention is a process for preparing a heat-resistant molded article of a lactic acid-base polymer comprising mixing 100 parts by weight of a lactic acid-base polymer having an L-lactic acid ratio of 75 % by weight or more, 0.1 - 15 parts by weight of a crystalline inorganic powder comprising 50 % by weight or more of SiO 2 and 1-20 parts by weight of a polyester which is obtained by condensation of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol with an aliphatic polybasic acid or with an aliphatic polybasic acid and a hydroxycarboxylic acid, melt-kneading the resultant composition, filling the same into a mold of a molding machine at a mold temperature of 85-125 °C, and forming a shape while promoting crystallization.
- a further aspect of the present invention is a process for preparing a heat-resistant molded article of a lactic acid-base polymer comprising mixing 75 - 95 % by weight of a lactic acid-base polymer with 5 - 25 % by weight of poly- ⁇ -caprolactone so as to obtain an L-lactic acid ratio of 75 % by weight or more, adding, to 100 parts by weight of the resultant mixture, 0.1-10 parts by weight of a crystalline inorganic powder comprising 50 % by weight or more of SiO 2 and 1-20 parts by weight of a polyester which has a weight average molecular weight of 80,000 - 300,000 which is obtained by condensation of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol with an aliphatic polybasic acid or with an aliphatic polybasic acid and a hydroxycarboxylic acid, melt-kneading the resultant composition, filling the same into a mold of a molding machine at a mold temperature of 85- 125 °C, and forming a shape while
- the molded articles of the lactic acid-base polymer obtained in the invention have excellent heat resistance and impact strength and are suitably used for a raw material of heat resistant food trays for use in microwave ovens and beverage cups. Further, when buried underground as wastes or abandoned in the sea or river, these articles are degraded in the natural environment within a relatively short period into nontoxic water and carbon dioxide like natural products such as wood and paper.
- lactic acid-base polymer in the invention refers to polylactic acid, a lactic acid/hydroxycarboxylic acid copolymer and a mixture thereof which have an L-lactic acid proportion of 75 % by weight or more in the polymer.
- Lactic acid and hydroxycarboxylic acid are used as raw materials of the polymer.
- Lactic acid which can be used is L-lactic acid, D-lactic acid, DL-lactic acid, a mixture thereof and lactide which is the cyclic dimer of lactic acid. These kinds of lactic acids can be used in various combinations so as to obtain an L-lactic acid proportion of 75 % by weight or more in the lactic acid-base polymer.
- Exemplary hydroxycarboxylic acid which can be used in combination with these kinds of lactic acid include glycolic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 4-hydroxybutyric acid, 4-hydroxyvaleric acid, 5-hydroxyvaleric acid and 6-hydroxycaproic acid.
- Cyclic dimers of hydroxycarboxylic acids for example, glycolide which is a dimer of glycolic acid or a cyclic ester intermediate such as ⁇ -caprolactone can also be used.
- the lactic acid-base polymer which can be used in the invention is prepared from lactic acid having a L-lactic acid content of 75 % by weight or more or a lactic acid/hydroxycarboxylic acid mixture having an L-lactic acid content of 75 % by weight or more by direct dehydration polycondensation or by ring-opening polymerization of lactide which is a cyclic dimer of the above lactic acid, or a cyclic of hydroxycarboxylic acid, e. g. , glycolide which is a dimer of glycolic acid or a cyclic ester intermediate such as ⁇ -caprolactone.
- a high molecular weight lactic acid-base polymer having a suitable strength for the invention can be prepared by carrying out an azeotropic dehydration condensation of the raw material that is, lactic acid or a mixture of lactic acid and hydroxycarboxylic acid preferably in the presence of an organic solvent, a diphenyl ether-base solvent in particular, more preferably in the presence of a solvent recycle system where water is removed from the distilled solvent and the dehydrated solvent is returned to the reaction system.
- the weight average molecular weight of the lactic acid-base polymer is preferably as high as possible in the range capable of being molded.
- a molecular weight of 30,000 or more is more preferred.
- a polymer having an weight average molecular weight of 1, 000,000 or more can also be used for the preparation of molded articles of the invention by designing the molding ability of the polymer composition. The weight average molecular weight exceeding 5,000,000 is liable to make processability poor.
- a specific agent serving as a nucleus of crystallization (hereinafter referred to simply as a nucleating agent) is used in the invention in order to promote crystallization of the lactic acid-base polymer.
- the nucleating agent acts as a heterogeneous nucleus of crystallization, reduces the surface free energy of the polymer accompanied by nucleus formation, and thus accelerates crystallization.
- the polymer can more rapidly attain a certain crystallization speed in the processing step and thus the molded articles obtained are expected to have improved heat resistance.
- nucleating agents are not always useful for the invention.
- General purpose nucleating agents cannot so much increase the crystallization speed of the lactic acid-base polymer and cannot accomplish the object.
- Nucleating agents which are suitable for crystallizing the lactic acid-base polymer are crystalline inorganic powder, more preferably crystalline powder containing 50 % by weight or more of SiO 2 component and having hydroxyl groups.
- the above nucleating agents contain less than 50 % by weight of the SiO 2 component, or when the nucleating agents are amorphous even though in the presence of 50 % by weight or more of the SiO 2 component, the polymer has a low crystallization speed and is unsuitable for practical use. Low crystallization speed can also be seen by low heat of crystallization in the temperature lowering of a differential scanning calorimetry (hereinafter referred to simply as DSC) of the molded articles.
- DSC differential scanning calorimetry
- nucleating agent No particular restriction is imposed upon a pH of an aqueous nucleating agent solution.
- the pH is preferably 8.5 or less, more preferably 4- 8 in order to prevent strength reduction due to molecular weight decrease in the lactic acid-base polymer.
- particularly preferred nucleating agent are talc having 50 % by weight or more of the crystalline SiO 2 componet and pH of 8.5 or less, and kaolin having 50 % by weight or more of crystalline SiO 2 component and pH of 8.5 or less.
- the amount for use is 0.1- 15 parts by weight, preferably 0.5- 7 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the lactic acid-base polymer.
- the amount is less than 0.1 part by weight, the effect of the nucleating agent cannot be exhibited.
- the amount exceeding 15 parts by weight is liable to decrease the molecular weight of the lactic acid-base polymer and results in giving an adverse effect on the properties of the polymer.
- the amount of the nucleating agent is more preferably 0.1 - 15 parts by weight, most preferably 0.5 - 7 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the sum of the lactic acid-base polymer and dispersant. In the absence of the dispersant, the amount of the nucleating agent is more preferably 0.1 - 15 parts by weight, most preferably 0.5 - 7 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the lactic acid-base polymer.
- a polymer-base dispersant, polymer-base processability improver and crystallization accelerator can be added in addition to the nucleating agent.
- a polymer-base dispersant When a polymer-base dispersant is used on crystallizing the composition of the lactic acid-base polymer and nucleating agent in the invention, the dispersion of the nucleating agent in the lactic acid-base polymer is improved and crystallization speed is accelerated, and hence, molded articles having uniformly excellent heat resistance and impact strength can be provided.
- Preferred dispersants are poly- ⁇ -caprolactone and styrene-butadiene-base thermoplastic elastomers.
- Poly- ⁇ -caprolactone which can be used has a weight average molecular weight of preferably 50, 000 - 250, 000, more preferably 100, 000 - 150, 000. Higher molecular weight dispersant can be used so long as the dispersant can be uniformly mixed with the lactic acid base polymer.
- Styrene-butadiene-base thermoplastic elastomer is a block copolymer obtained by using polystyrene as a hard segment and polybutadiene as a soft segment.
- the composition has a styrene/butadiene weight ratio of preferably in the range of 20/80- 45/55, more preferably in the range of 30/70 -40/60.
- the mixture of the lactic acid-base polymer and dispersant can provide preferable crystallinity when the proportion of L-lactic acid is 75 % by weight or more for the total amount of the mixture.
- the proportion of L-lactic acid is less than 75 % by weight, crystallinity becomes poor and molded articles having desired heat resistance cannot be obtained.
- the amount is preferably 5- 25 % by weight, more preferably 10- 20 % by weight for the lactic acid-base polymer.
- the amount exceeding 25 % by weight decreases strength of the molded articles or leads to poor processability and makes practical use difficult.
- the amount less than 5 % by weight results in insufficient effect of addition.
- a polymer-base processability improver can be used for accelerating crystallization in the invention.
- the processability improver remarkably accelerates crystallization speed of the lactic acid-base polymer and molded articles can be obtained with an equivalent molding cycle to a general purpose resin, for example, polypropylene resin.
- the processability improver of the invention exemplifies polyester derived from an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol and an aliphatic polybasic acid or polyester derived from an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol, an aliphatic polybasic acid and an hydroxycarboxylic acid.
- the processability improver has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 - 1,000, 000, preferably 50,000-500,000 and more preferably 80, 000-300, 000.
- These polyesters also include those obtained by extending the polymer chain with a diisocyanate compound.
- the amount is preferably 1 - 20 parts by weight, more preferably 5- 15 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the lactic acid-base polymer, or in the case of using the dispersant, for 100 parts by weight of the sum of the lactic acid-base polymer and the dispersant.
- the amount of the processability improver exceeding 20 parts by weight leads to inferior stiffness of the molded articles and these articles are unsuitable for practical use.
- the amount less than 5 parts by weight results in unsatisfactory effect.
- Aliphatic polyhydric alcohols which can be used include, for example, 1, 4-butanediol and ethylene glycol.
- Aliphatic polybasic acids are not limited in particular and exemplify succinic acid and adipic acid. No particular limitation is put upon the hydroxycarboxylic acid. Exemplary hydroxycarboxylic acids include lactic acid.
- Diisocyanate compounds are not particularly restricted and include hexamethylene diisocyanate.
- a crystallization accelerator can be used in the invention in order to accelerate crystallization, when needed.
- crystallization accelerator in combination with the nucleating agent can accelerate crystallization speed of the lactic acid-base polymer.
- the molding cycle time is reduced and molded articles of the heat-resistant lactic acid-base polymer have excellent heat resistance and impact strength.
- Preferred crystallization accelerators in the invention include diisodecyl adipate, n-octyl-n-decyl adipate and other aliphatic dibasic acid esters; glycerol triacetate and other polyhydric alcohol esters; and tributyl acetylcitrate and other tributyl hydroxypolycarboxylates.
- the amount is preferably 0.1 - 8 parts by weight, more preferably 1 - 5 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the lactic acid-base polymer, or, in the case of using the dispersant, for 100 parts by weight of the sum of the lactic acid base-polymer and the dispersant.
- the amount of the crystallization accelerator less than 0.1 part by weight makes the effect of addition insufficient, whereas the amount exceeding 8 parts by weight gives unfavorable effect on the physical properties of the molded articles.
- composition of the invention comprising the lactic acid-base polymer, nucleating agent and when needed, the dispersant, processability improver and crystallization accelerator (hereinafter referred to simply as a lactic acid-base polymer composition) can be incorporated with other various modifiers depending upon the object for use of the molded articles.
- exemplary modifiers include stabilizers and ultraviolet absorbers.
- Mixing of the lactic acid-base polymer composition can be carried out by using usual mixing and kneading methods.
- Crystallization of the lactic acid-base polymer composition can be carried out by setting the mold temperature at the crystallization temperature of the polymer and maintaining the mold temperature for a given time in the molding stage, or by annealing the molded articles at the crystallization temperature.
- the method for maintaining the molded articles at the crystallization temperature for a given time in the molding stage is carried out by setting the mold temperature of an injection molding machine, blow molding machine or compression molding machine between the initiation and finishing temperature of crystallization in the temperature lowering of DSC and by crystallizing the composition of the invention in the mold.
- the heat-resistant molded articles of the lactic acid-base polymer having excellent heat-resistance and impact strength can be obtained by this method.
- Mold temperature is generally 85-125 °C, preferably 90-115 °C, more preferably 100 - 110 °C.
- mold articles can crystallize with ease and high dimensional accuracy can be obtained as a result of sufficient solidification in the stage of removing the molded articles from the mold.
- the crystallization speed decreases and solidification time of the molded articles is extended and thus practical utility becomes inferior.
- the lactic acid-base polymer composition of the invention can be prepared by mixing with known mixing techniques such as a Henschel mixer and ribbon blender or further by melt-kneading with an extruder.
- the lactic acid-base polymer composition can be used for molding in any form of pellet, bar, powder and granule.
- the process for preparing molded articles of the lactic acid-base polymer is carried out by uniformly mixing the lactic acid-base polymer composition with a blender and successively undergoing injection molding, blow-molding or compression molding.
- the mold temperature in the injection molding is set generally at 85 - 125 °C, preferably at 95 - 110 °C, that is, a temperature range between initiation and finishing temperature of crystallization in the temperature lowering of DSC.
- the lactic acid-base polymer composition is generally melted at 180 - 250 °C in the cylinder of a molding machine, filled into the mold, crystallized, and the molded articles are removed from the mold.
- a mixture comprising 100 parts by weight of the lactic acid-base polymer and 1 parts by weight of prescribed talc has a crystallization initiation temperature of 120 °C and crystallization finishing temperature of 95 °C in the temperature lowering.
- a mixture comprising 100 parts by weight of the polymer, 3 parts by weight of prescribed talc and 5 parts by weight of DIDA has a crystallization initiation temperature of 114 °C and crystallization finishing temperature of 90 °C in the temperature lowering. Mold temperature setting in the above crystallization range is effective for improving heat resistance of the molded articles.
- a parison is delivered from a die which is mounted on an extruder head, inserted into a mold which was previously set in the above temperature range, blown with the air and successively crystallized.
- the temperature of the mold was previously set at 180- 250 °C, the polymer composition is charged into mold, pressure is applied to the mold, and the mold is successively cooled to the above temperature range to promote crystallization. Cooling time differs depending upon molding method, and shape and thickness of the molded articles, and is generally in the range of 10-100 seconds.
- Heat resistance in the invention is shown by a Vicat softening point in accordance with ASTM-D1525. A needle is vertically placed on a sample under load of 1 kg. Temperature is increased at a constant rate.
- the temperature when the needle penetrates 1 mm into the sample is defined as the softening point.
- the Vicat softening point of heat-resistant molded articles obtained from the lactic acid-base polymer of the invention differs depending upon the amount of the nucleating agent, dispersant, processability improver and crystallization accelerator.
- the softening point is generally 100 - 160 °C in view of heat resistance for a microwave oven and practical utility, preferably 120-160 160 °C, more preferably 130- 150 °C, most preferably 140 ⁇ 150 °C.
- Molded articles of the lactic acid-base polymer have a Vicat softening point almost corresponding to the heat resistant temperature defined in accordance with JIS-S 2033, Method for Testing Plastic Containers used in a Microwave Oven, which is a specification indicating heat resistance.
- a molded container of the lactic acid-base polymer having a Vicat softening point of 149 °C was maintained at 150 °C for an hour in the air in a constant temperature oven equipped with a stirrer. After allowing to cool to the room temperature, no abnormality such as deformation were not observed on the container.
- excellently heat-resistant containers and other molded articles can be efficiently prepared from the lactic acid-base polymer with a common molding machine used for molding polystyrene and other general purpose resins.
- the molded products are applied to various uses such as everyday items and miscellaneous goods, particularly containers for use in a microwave oven.
- part means part by weight.
- a weight average molecular weight of polymer was measured by gel permeation chromatography using polystyrene as a reference under the following conditions.
- the reaction product was discharged in the form of a strand from the bottom of the reaction vessel and cut into pellets to obtain lactic acid-base polymer A having an L-lactic acid ratio of 100 %.
- the polymer had a weight average molecular weight Mw about 100,000 and Tg of 59 °C.
- the powder was pelletized by melting in an extruder to obtain lactic acid polymer B having a L-lactic acid ratio of 100 %.
- Polymer B had a weight average molecular weight of 110, 000 and Tg of 59 °C.
- Pellets of DL-lactic acid polymer C having an L-lactic acid ratio of 50 % were obtained by carrying out the same procedures as described in Preparation Example 2 except that 100 parts of L-lactic acid was replaced by 100 parts of DL-lactic acid.
- the polymer had a weight average molecular weight of 110, 000 and Tg of 50 °C.
- a tube packed with 40 g of molecular sieve 3A was fitted so as to return the distilled solvent to the reaction vessel by way of a molecular sieve layer and the reaction mixture was further stirred at 130 °C for 49 hours under reduced pressure of 2266 Pa (17 mm Hg).
- the reaction mass was dissolved in 600 ml of chloroform and poured into 4 liters of acetone.
- the reprecipitated product was sludged 3 times for 0.5 hour each with an isopropanol (IPA) solution of hydrochloric acid having a HCl content of 0.7 wt%, washed with IPA and dried at 60 °C for 6 hours under reduced pressure to obtain polybutylene succinate (PSB).
- IPA isopropanol
- PSB polybutylene succinate
- the polymer had a weight average molecular weight of 118, 000.
- the Dean Stark Trap was replaced by a tube packed with 20 g of molecular sieve 5A so as to return distilled water to the reaction system after passing through the molecular sieve.
- the reaction was further continued at 130 °C for 34 hours.
- a small amount of sample was taken out at the outlet of the molecular sieve packed tube and analyzed.
- the returning solvent had a water content of less than 5 ppm and an ethylene glycol content of less than a detection limit 10 ppm.
- the reaction mass was dissolved in 500 ml of chloroform and poured into 5.8 liters of acetone.
- the reprecipitated product was dried at 60 °C for 6 hours under reduced pressure to obtain polyethylene succinate (PSE).
- PSE polyethylene succinate
- lactic acid-base polymers A- D obtained in Preparation Examples 1- 4, poly- ⁇ -caprolactone dispersant P-787 (Trade Mark of TONE hereinafter referred to simply PCL), or styrene butadiene base thermoplastic elastomer dispersant TUFPRENE A (Trade Mark of Asahi Chemical Co., hereinafter referred to simply as SB), talc (manufactured by Fuji Talc Co., SiO 2 content 60 %, crystalline product) as a nucleating agent, and diisodecyl adipate (hereinafter referred to simply as DIDA) and tributyl acetyl citrate (hereinafter referred to simply as ATBC) as crystallization accelerators were used in a proportion illustrated in Table 1.
- lactic acid-base polymer B obtained in Preparation Example 2 nucleating agent, crystallization accelerator, and PSB obtained in Preparation Example 5 or PSE obtained in Preparation Example 6 as processability improver were used in proportions illustrated in Tables 1 and 2.
- the raw materials were mixed in a Henschel mixer and pelletized and injection molded by the same procedures as Example 1 to obtain ASTM test specimens.
- Cooling time in the mold could be reduced to 20 seconds.
- the lactic acid-base polymer B, dispersant, nucleating agent, crystallization accelerator and processability improver were mixed with a Henschel mixer in a proportion illustrated in Table 2, and pelletized and injection molded by the same procedures as described in Example 2 to obtain ASTM test specimens. Cooling time in the mold could be reduced to 20 seconds. Results are illustrated in Table 2.
- the lactic acid-base polymer B obtained in Preparation Example 2, dispersant, crystallization accelerator, and individually 3 % by weight of kaolin JP-100 (SiO 2 content 80 %, crystalline), silica (SiO 2 content 97 %, crystalline) or kaolin clay (SiO 2 content 80 %, crystalline) were mixed and pelletized by carrying out the same procedures as Example 1 to obtain ASTM test specimens. Results are illustrated in Table 2. Nucleating agents were crystalline and had a SiO 2 content of 50 % or more and thus molding ability and heat resistance of molded products were good.
- the dispersing agent was omitted, and the lactic acid-base polymer B obtained in Preparation Example 2, nucleating agent and crystallization accelerator were mixed with a Henschel mixer in a proportion illustrated in Table 3.
- the mixture was pelletized and injection molded by the same procedures as Example 1 to obtain ASTM test specimens. Results are illustrated in Table 3. Because of the absence of a dispersant PCL, dispersion of the nucleating agent was poor and local aggregation was observed. Impact strength was also low.
- the lactic acid-base polymer A and C obtained respectively in Preparation Examples 1 and 3 were mixed with a dispersant to make an L-lactic acid ratio 60 %. Thereafter a nucleating agent and crystallization accelerator were added in a proportion illustrated in Table 3, mixed with a Henschel mixer, and pelletized and injection molded to obtain ASTM test specimens. Results are illustrated in Table 3.
- the polymer had an L-lactic acid ratio less than 75 % by weight and thus molded specimens led to deformation in the stage of mold release even though the nucleating agent was added.
- Pellets of lactic acid-base polymer B obtained in Preparation Example 2 were used. The pellets were injection molded at a cylinder temperature of 180 - 200 °C, mold temperature of 100 °C and mold cooling time of 80 seconds to obtain ASTM test specimens. Results are illustrated in Table 3.
- Molded specimens were greatly deformed in the stage of mold release because the specimens were too soft due to absence of a nucleating agent.
- Molded specimens were prepared by carrying out the same procedures as described in Example 2 except that the nucleating agent was used in an amount of 20 parts by weight which exceed the range of 0.1 - 15 parts by weight in the invention. Results are illustrated in Table 3.
- Molded specimens had a low impact strength.
- Molded specimens were prepared by carrying out the same procedures as described in Example 2 except that the crystallization accelerator was used in an amount of 11 parts by weight which exceed the range of 0.1 - 8 parts by weight in the invention. Results are illustrated in Table 3. Molded specimens had a low impact strength.
- Molded specimens were prepared by carrying out the same procedures as described in Example 6 except that the processability improver was used in an amount of 30 parts by weight which exceed the range of 1 - 20 parts by weight in the invention. Results are illustrated in Table 3.
- Molded specimens had poor dimensional accuracy and consistent products could not be obtained.
- Pellets were prepared by carrying out the same procedures as described in Example 2. The pellets were injection molded at a cylinder temperature of 180- 200 °C which is within the range of Example 2. Mold temperature was changed to 95 °C and 110 °C respectively, which are within the peak range of DSC lowering crystallization temperature. Other injection molding conditions were the same as Example 2. Results are illustrated in Table 5.
- Pellets were prepared by carrying out the same procedures as described in Example 2. The pellets were injection molded at a cylinder temperature of 180-200 °C which is within the range of Example 2.
- Mold temperature was changed to a temperature outside the peak range of DSC lowering crystallization temperature. That is, mold temperature was set at 30 °C in Comparative Example 12, 130 °C in Comparative Example 13, and 80 °C in Comparative Example 14. Other injection molding conditions were the same as Example 2. Results are illustrated in Table 5.
- Molded specimens obtained in Comparative Example 12 had poor heat resistance because of amorphous property. Molded specimens obtained in Comparative Examples 13 and 14 were too soft and led to large deformation in the stage of mold release because mold temperature was above Tg and the polymer was amorphous.
- ASTM test specimens were prepared by carrying out the same procedures as described in Example 1 except that the lactic acid-base polymer A was replaced by polypropylene resin and mold temperature was set at 30 °C. Results are illustrated in Table 5.
- the molded specimens had poor degradability in soil.
- Example 1 Example 2
- Example 3 Example 4
- Example 5 Polymer composition Lactic acid-base polymer (wt%) A 80 B 90 B 60 C 30 D 95 B 90 B100 Dispersant (wt%) PCL 20 PCL 10 SB 10 PCL 5 PCL 10 - L-lactic acid ratio (%) 80 90 75 76 90 100 Amount (wt part) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Nucleating agent (wt part) talc 3 talc 3 talc 5 talc 3 talc 5 talc 3 Processability improver (wt part) - - - - - - PSB 10 Crystallization accelerator (wt part) ATBC 1 DIDA 1 DIDA 1 - DIDA 3 DIDA 1 Processability excellent excellent excellent excellent good excellent very excellent Heat resistance (°C) 150 149 148 148 150 147 Impact resistance (kg/cm 2 ) 12 9 7 8 9 9 Degradability in
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Description
Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3 | Example 4 | Example 5 | Example 6 | ||
Polymer composition | Lactic acid-base polymer (wt%) | A 80 | B 90 | B 60 C 30 | D 95 | B 90 | B100 |
Dispersant (wt%) | PCL 20 | PCL 10 | SB 10 | PCL 5 | PCL 10 | - | |
L-lactic acid ratio (%) | 80 | 90 | 75 | 76 | 90 | 100 | |
Amount (wt part) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Nucleating agent (wt part) | talc 3 | talc 3 | talc 5 | talc 3 | talc 5 | talc 3 | |
Processability improver (wt part) | - | - | - | - | - | PSB 10 | |
Crystallization accelerator (wt part) | ATBC 1 | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | - | DIDA 3 | DIDA 1 | |
Processability | excellent | excellent | excellent | good | excellent | very excellent | |
Heat resistance (°C) | 150 | 149 | 148 | 148 | 150 | 147 | |
Impact resistance (kg/cm2) | 12 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | |
Degradability in soil | after 3 months, readily broken by external force | ||||||
Weight loss (%) | 35 | 28 | 15 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Example 7 | Example 8 | Example 9 | Example 10 | Example 11 | ||
Polymer composition | Lactic acid-base polymer (wt%) | B 100 | B 90 | B 100 | B 100 | B 100 |
Dispersant (wt%) | - | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | |
L-lactic acid ratio (%) | 100 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | |
Amount (wt part) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Nucleating agent (wt part) | talc 3 | talc 3 | kaolin JP100 3 | silica 3 | kaolin clay 3 | |
Processability improver (wt part) | PSE 5 | PSB 10 | - | - | - | |
Crystallization accelerator (wt part) | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | |
Processability | excellent | Very excellent | excellent | excellent | excellent | |
Heat resistance (°C) | 148 | 147 | 149 | 149 | 149 | |
Impact resistance (kg/cm2) | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
Degradability in soil | after 3 months, readily broken by external force | |||||
Weight loss (%) | 23 | 32 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Comparative Example 1 | Comparative Example 2 | Comparative Example 3 | Comparative Example 4 | Comparative Example 5 | Comparative Example 6 | ||
Polymer composition | Lactic acid-base polymer (wt%) | B 100 | B 30 C 60 | B 90 | B 90 | B 90 | B 90 |
Dispersant (wt%) | - | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | |
L-lactic acid ratio (%) | 100 | 60 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | |
Amount (wt part) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Nucleating agent (wt part) | talc 3 | talc 3 | - | talc 20 | talc 3 | talc 3 | |
Processability improver (wt part) | - | - | - | - | - | PSB 30 | |
Crystallization accelerator (wt part) | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | - | DIDA 1 | DIDA 11 | DIDA 1 | |
Processability | excellent | poor | poor | good | good | poor | |
Heat resistance (°C) | 148 | 58 | 58 | 149 | 120 | - | |
Impact resistance (kg/cm2) | 2 | - | - | 4 | 4 | 15 | |
Degradability in soil | after 3 months, readily broken by external force | ||||||
Weight loss (%) | 10 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 35 |
Comparative Example 7 | Comparative Example 8 | Comparative Example 9 | Comparative Example 10 | Comparative Example 11 | ||
Polymer composition | Lactic acid-base polymer (wt%) | B 90 | B 90 | B 90 | B 90 | B 90 |
Dispersant (wt%) | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | |
L-lactic acid ratio (%) | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | |
Amount (wt part) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Nucleating agent (wt part) | kaolin UW 3 | kaolinite 3 | talc RF 3 | synthetic silica 3 | silica 3 | |
Processability improver (wt part) | - | - | - | - | - | |
Crystallization accelerator (wt part) | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | |
Processability | poor | poor | poor | poor | poor | |
Heat resistance (°C) | - | - | - | - | - | |
Impact resistance (kg/cm2) | - | - | - | - | - | |
Degradability in soil | - | - | - | - | - | |
Weight loss (%) | - | - | - | - | - |
Example 12 | Example 13 | Comparative Example 12 | Comparative Example 13 | Comparative Example 14 | Comparative Example 15 | ||
Polymer composition | Lactic acid-base polymer (wt%) | B 90 | B 90 | B 90 | B 90 | B 90 | poly-propylene resin |
Dispersant (wt%) | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | PCL 10 | ||
L-lactic acid ratio (%) | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | ||
Amount (wt part) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Nucleating agent (wt part) | talc 3 | talc 3 | talc 3 | talc 3 | talc 3 | - | |
Processability improver (wt part) | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Crystallization accelerator (wt part) | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | DIDA 1 | - | |
(°C) | 95 | 110 | 30 | 130 | 80 | 30 | |
Processability | excellent | excellent | good | poor (deform) | poor (deform) | excellent | |
Heat resistance (°C) | 150 | 149 | 57 | 58 | 58 | 151 | |
impact resistance (kg/cm2) | 8 | 8 | - | - | - | 12 | |
Degradability in soil | after 3 months, readily broken by external force | no change | |||||
Weight loss (%) | 28 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 0 |
Claims (11)
- A process for preparing a heat-resistant molded article of a lactic acid-base polymer comprising mixing 75-95 % by weight of a lactic acid-base polymer with 5-25 % by weight of poly-ε-caprolactone so as to obtain a L-lactic acid ratio of 75 % by weight or more, adding 0.1-15 parts by weight of a crystalline inorganic powder comprising 50 % by weight or more of SiO2 to 100 parts by weight of said polymer mixture, melt-kneading the resultant composition, filling the same into a mold of a molding machine at a mold temperature of 85- 125 °C, and forming a shape while promoting crystallization.
- A process for preparing a heat-resistant molded article of a lactic acid-base polymer comprising mixing 100 parts by weight of a lactic acid-base polymer having a L-lactic acid ratio of 75 % by weight or more, 0.1-15 parts by weight of a crystalline inorganic powder comprising 50 % by weight or more of SiO2 and 1-20 parts by weight of a polyester which is obtained by condensation of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol with an aliphatic polybasic acid or with an aliphatic polybasic acid and a hydroxycarboxylic acid, melt-kneading the resultant composition, filling the same into a mold of a molding machine at a mold temperature of 85-125 °C, and forming a shape while promoting crystallization.
- The process of claim 1 wherein 1- 20 parts by weight of a polyester which has a weight average molecular weight of 80, 000-300, 000 which is obtained by condensation of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol with an aliphatic polybasic acid or with an aliphatic polybasic acid and an hydroxycarboxylic acid is mixed with 100 parts by weight of the mixture of the lactic acid-base polymer and poly-ε-caprolactone.
- The process of claim 1 wherein 0.1- 8 parts by weight of an aliphatic dibasic acid ester, polyhydric alcohol ester or tributyl hydroxypolycarboxylate is added to 100 parts by weight of the mixture of the lactic acid-base polymer and poly- ε -caprolactone.
- The process of claim 2 wherein 0.1 - 8 parts by weight of an aliphatic dibasic acid ester, polyhydric alcohol ester or tributyl hydroxypolycarboxylate is added to 100 parts by weight of the lactic acid-base polymer.
- The process of claim 3 wherein 0.1- 8 parts by weight of an aliphatic dibasic acid ester, polyhydric alcohol ester or tributyl hydroxypolycarboxylate is added to 100 parts by weight of the mixture of the lactic acid-base polymer and poly- ε -caprolactone.
- A heat-resistant molded article of a lactic acid-base polymer having heat resistance of 100 - 160 °C comprising 100 parts by weight of a polymer mixture consisting of 75- 95 % by weight of a lactic acid-base polymer and 5 - 25 % by weight of poly- ε -caprolactone and having an L-lactic acid ratio of 75 % by weight or more and 0.1 - 15 parts by weight of a crystalline inorganic powder comprising 50 % by weight or more of SiO2.
- A lactic acid-base polymer composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a lactic acid-base polymer having an L-lactic acid ratio of 75 % by weight or more, 0.1- 15 parts by weight of a crystalline inorganic powder comprising 50 % by weight or more of SiO2, and 1 - 20 parts by weight of a polyester which is obtained by condensation of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol with an aliphatic polybasic acid or with an aliphatic polybasic acid and a hydroxycarboxylic acid.
- A heat-resistant molded article which has heat resistance of 100 - 160 °C and is obtained by molding the lactic acid-base polymer composition of claim 8.
- A lactic acid-base polymer composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a polymer mixture consisting of 75 - 95 % by weight of a lactic acid-base polymer and 5 - 25 % by weight of poly- ε -caprolactone and having an L-lactic acid ratio of 75 % by weight or more, 0.1 - 15 parts by weight of a crystalline inorganic powder comprising 50 % by weight or more of SiO2 and 1 - 20 parts by weight of a polyester which is obtained by condensation of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol with an aliphatic polybasic acid or with an aliphatic polybasic acid and hydroxycarboxylic acid.
- A heat-resistant molded article of the lactic acid-base polymer which has heat resistance of 100 - 160 °C and is obtained by molding the lactic acid-base polymer composition of claim 10.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP327858/93 | 1993-12-24 | ||
JP32785893 | 1993-12-24 | ||
JP32785893 | 1993-12-24 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0661346A2 EP0661346A2 (en) | 1995-07-05 |
EP0661346A3 EP0661346A3 (en) | 1996-10-09 |
EP0661346B1 true EP0661346B1 (en) | 1999-09-15 |
Family
ID=18203764
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP19940119891 Expired - Lifetime EP0661346B1 (en) | 1993-12-24 | 1994-12-15 | Heat-resistant molded article of lactic acid-base polymer |
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EP (1) | EP0661346B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69420691T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5916950A (en) * | 1996-07-26 | 1999-06-29 | Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. | Resin composition and molded articles thereof |
EP0990678B1 (en) * | 1998-10-01 | 2003-11-26 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Biodegradable polyester/polyester carbonate resin composition |
ITTO20010060A1 (en) * | 2001-01-25 | 2002-07-25 | Novamont Spa | TERNARTIE MIXTURES OF BIODEGRADABLE ALIPHATIC POLYESTERS AND PRODUCTS OBTAINED FROM THESE. |
US7393590B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2008-07-01 | Cereplast, Inc. | Biodegradable poly(lactic acid) polymer composition and films, coatings and products comprising Biodegradable poly(lactic acid) polymer compositions |
DE102010052878B4 (en) * | 2010-12-01 | 2013-10-17 | Tecnaro Gesellschaft Zur Industriellen Anwendung Nachwachsender Rohstoffe Mbh | Process for the preparation of polymer moldings based on polylactide with increased heat resistance and its use |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE3635679A1 (en) * | 1986-10-21 | 1988-05-05 | Dynamit Nobel Ag | Surgical suture material |
EP0401844B1 (en) * | 1989-06-09 | 1995-11-22 | Boehringer Ingelheim Kg | Resorbable moulded articles and method for their preparation |
CA2064410A1 (en) * | 1991-04-01 | 1992-10-02 | Masanobu Ajioka | Degradable foam and use of same |
JP3044857B2 (en) * | 1991-09-12 | 2000-05-22 | 凸版印刷株式会社 | Plastic container |
JP3408557B2 (en) * | 1992-06-11 | 2003-05-19 | 三井化学株式会社 | Vehicle mounted lamp and manufacturing method thereof |
-
1994
- 1994-12-15 DE DE1994620691 patent/DE69420691T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-12-15 EP EP19940119891 patent/EP0661346B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP0661346A2 (en) | 1995-07-05 |
EP0661346A3 (en) | 1996-10-09 |
DE69420691T2 (en) | 2000-06-08 |
DE69420691D1 (en) | 1999-10-21 |
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